Junior Achievement Joins Forces with McDonald’s® Canada Making Future Careers Brighter for young Canadians

Initiative supports Canadian students' future success with career training skills

TORONTO, ON (March 7, 2013) – Junior Achievement of Canada and McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited today announced a new partnership to help students in communities across the country secure their first jobs.
As the largest youth business educator and one of Canada’s largest youth employers, respectively, Junior Achievement and McDonald’s Canada will work together on a variety of initiatives to help students prepare for a successful career. Together Junior Achievement and McDonald’s Canada will help students develop a career plan; start a company; and find opportunities to express their innovative spirit.

At the inaugural Junior Achievement Success 101 session in Toronto recently, students joined McDonald’s and Junior Achievement management and volunteers to participate in a hands-on workshop focused on interview training tips and techniques. 

“Our first Success 101 session is one example of how Junior Achievement’s career training programs prepare youth to succeed when they enter the work force,” said Stephen Ashworth, President and CEO (Acting), Junior Achievement of Canada. “Students need to be prepared for their future success no matter their chosen career path. As one of Canada’s largest youth employers, McDonald’s plays an important role in preparing our young people for the future and providing them with the tools they need to succeed.”

Available across the country, Junior Achievement’s programs enable students to learn first-hand from experienced local business leaders and gain the practical knowledge to help them prepare for their future careers. Acquiring and practicing business skills gives students the confidence needed to define personal success, gain financial responsibility and become contributing members of the workforce.

“Junior Achievement shares values similar to McDonald’s, including equipping youth with business skills and educating them about entrepreneurship,” said Len Jillard, Senior Vice President, People Resources & Chief People Officer, McDonald’s Canada. “With nearly two-thirds of our more than 80,000 employees less than 24 years of age, we look forward to evolving our relationship to unlock the potential in today’s youth and to set them up for success as leaders of tomorrow.”

With over 15 years’ experience delivering Junior Achievement programs, business leader and long-time volunteer Michelle Murrin shared her knowledge, passion and insight with the next generation of leaders. “We all share the responsibility of inspiring students to own their future career success. I hope that based on their experience, our Junior Achievers will let their leadership shine in the next job interview.”

“Together, we will inspire youth to be successful, contributing members of Canada’s workforce. We look forward to an exciting relationship ahead,” said Michel Bryan, Chair, Junior Achievement Quebec.

“My experience in attending the Success 101 event was absolutely life-changing,” said Selina McCallum, Grade 10 student at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute. “I learned a lot of life lessons such as not being afraid of trying new things and being myself. I will never forget the advice that the volunteers gave me to make an interview go successfully.”

About Junior Achievement of Canada
Junior Achievement is the largest youth business education organization in Canada and plays an important role in developing Canada's future leaders by providing them with the knowledge and confidence needed to define personal success, gain financial responsibility and enhance their workforce readiness. Last year alone, more than 226,000 young Canadians experienced a Junior Achievement program from over 13,500 committed business mentors. Junior Achievement programs are developed in alignment with three pillars: entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness. Each day, Junior Achievement staff and volunteers located in the National and 15 Charter offices across Canada work hard toward the attainment of one common goal - to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. For more information, visit www.jacan.org.

About McDonald’s Canada
McDonald’s is the leading foodservice company in the world. McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited and its Canadian franchisees own and operate more than 1,400 restaurants and employ more than 80,000 Canadians coast-to-coast.  Approximately 80 per cent of McDonald’s Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs. For more information about McDonald’s Canada, visit www.mcdonalds.ca or follow on Twitter (@McD_Canada) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonaldscanada) for updates on the business, promotions and menu items.